Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While driving 25 MPH in sleeting conditions, coming to a stop light the contact noticed that the heater was getting colder. The heater was set at 78 degrees at the time of the failure and, as a result, the front and rear glass fogged. The contact was unable to see through the glass and the defroster would not clear the glass. The contact had to drive and clean the windshield with a cloth in order to view the road. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for inspection and they stated that the coil was filled with water, which caused the heater to fail. They further stated that it was due to a manufacturer defect. The vehicle is currently being repaired by a local repair shop at the cost of $500. The dealer has not been notified. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unknown. …
I recently purchased a 2003 Mercury Sable ls and prior to leaving the dealership in philadelphia I noticed the front windshield did not have the factory tint glass which was stated on the window sticker and windshield as having tinted glass. I returned to the dealership and spoke with the sales person,sales manager & service manager and after comparing other sables of 2003 in the lot, all stated in the front windshield as having the tint but some did not appear as having the darker band running across the top of the front windshield. No one could address this as to why some did or did not other than they were different supply vendors Ford used that day. It appears that whomever Ford supplier are at this point has a process error in the manufacturing application of the tint process since Ford dealership management could not answer or willing to find out the answers to the problem.
Wire harness failure in rubber boots from body of car to rear lift gate on station wagon model. Insulation cracking and wire breaking completely in flexible rubber boot causes erratic behavior and ultimate failure of high brake light, back up lights, license plate lights, rear windshield wiper, rear window defroster, open lift gate and open rear window safety sensors and stereo speakers. Insulation and wiring within boot has become brittle and fatigued. Clean breaks in wires from opening and closing lift gate are evident. Wires where insulation has broken through are coming in contact with other circuits where that insulation has broken through and results in "confusing" operation of lights. Ie put car in reverse and high brake light comes on - put foot on brake and high brake light goes out. Backup lights don't come on at all. …
I have a 2002 Mercury Sable that when ever it rained started to get water leakage on the passenger side. As a result of the leak my fan blower burnt out costing $180.00. After doing some research I found out there was a silent recall. They claimed the fix was free under the bumper to bumper warranty coverage under TSB-03-15-6. I took my vehicle to into the dealer and he did a water leak test and it showed that I needed a "rain hat assembly and weather strips" at a cost to me of $289.00 and it would not be covered under the bulletins. I disagreed with him, however what choice would I have if it rained again I would be out another $180.00 for a blower motor. Reference recall number 03V087000 and complaints also reported william Ford, 10184014 and jim collins, 10184756.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while sitting in the parked vehicle, an assailant approached the vehicle with the intent to commit a crime. The assailant struck the driver's side window with only his elbow and the window shattered, causing many lacerations to the contact's face. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,576.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling at approximately 30 MPH during an ice/sleet storm the front windshield wipers stopped working. An independent mechanic determined the windshield/wiper motor was defective. The motor was replaced. There is an NHTSA recall, #01V258000 visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the heater failed to blow hot air. The contact stated that the windshield defroster was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to lb smith Ford located at 1100 market st, lemoyne, pa 17043, [phone], to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the heater coil was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The windshield wiper motor is causing a leak on the front passenger side of the vehicle. There is a NHTSA campaign id number 01V258000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor), but the contact was informed that her vehicle was out of warranty. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 78,000.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields May potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these windshields. Owner notification began on March 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Sable years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (20), 1999 (17), 1996 (16), 1997 (14) and 1995 (12) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Mercury Sable window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-087 (windshield, Mar 10, 2003); 01V-258 (motor, Aug 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Sable window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield (39 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (25).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.